I'm always weary of rhyming poems in the challenges because all too often, while there are some great lines that come out of them, a lot of the rhymes end up being forced. This was not the case with The Call, and it was one of many reasons why it stood out to me. This poem is really beautiful in its simple structure and language, and the way you really capture Colin and his life. The final stanza kills me. It's so bittersweet. I love this poem, Carole, and I'm so glad it's now up on the archives. Well done!

Author's Response: Thank you very much. I like trying to rhyme, but do find it hard work, which is one reason I though internal rhymes gave a better flow to the poem. Really appreciate the review, Julia. I hadn't really thought about this poem until the last few days of the challenge when I had a sudden idea (although at one stage it was going to be Fred -ha!). Love your challenges, they are so .... challenging :D ~Carole~

I love it!! I really prefer poems that rhyme, and this one is lovely in both its rhyme and rhythm flowing perfectly. And it is so short, simple, and direct in its form and language that really, it's even more powerful than something all flowery and filled with words and images I have to work hard for and still not understand. And really, something like that probably wouldn't have worked for Colin, or at least for what you are saying in this poem. At first I was wondering why you chose to format it this way, but as I read it a bit outloud, it made sense. It gives it a nice twist. I loved it, I really did! It's so sad, and yet I'm smiling. Great job!~Gina :)

Author's Response: Thank you very much. I was deliberately simple and short with the poem, partly because I didn't want to disrupt the flow, but also because if writing 'anaphora' then the repetition can become too much. I like rhymes too, but often they can come across as forced, so I thought making them internal rhymes might be easier ... it wasn't hahahahahah.